Nectarine tree named &#39;Nectadiva&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree, denominated ‘NECTADIVA’, has fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet orange yellow flesh of high eating quality, with red pigmentation in the stone cavity and around the stone cavity, and an attractive skin homogeneously colored with a high percentage of luminous red blush. Fruits can be consumed crunchy or melting.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2011/0558 filed on Mar. 2, 2011, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica L. Batsch.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘NECTADIVA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarinetree, Prunus persica L. Batsch, which has been given the varietydenomination ‘NECTADIVA’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelflife without alteration both on the tree after growth completion andafter harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone yellow fleshfruit for fresh market in September in the Pyrénées-Orientalesdepartement, France. Contrast is made to its parents, ‘Redpearl’ (nonpatented) yellow nectarine tree and ‘Nectalady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.17,580) yellow nectarine tree, for reliable description. ‘NECTADIVA’ isa promising candidate for commercial success in that it has veryattractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration beforeafter harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NECTADIVA’ yellow nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area ofthe south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where itwas tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on theMediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry.The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hoursof sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but itsintensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/orquality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations areirregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount ofrainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found inSpring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitationsoccasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘NECTADIVA’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross between the‘Redpearl’ (non patented) yellow nectarine tree, which was used as theseed parent, and the ‘Nectalady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,580) yellownectarine tree, which was used as the pollen parent. ‘NECTADIVA’ wasprovisionally designated and tested under number 4N.03.120 NJ ASF 0619and was registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministryof the French Republic on Nov. 23, 2010 under number 4047120. The‘NECTADIVA’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated bygrafting on a ‘Franc Inra Montclar’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. Ithas been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics makingit worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no knowneffects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scioncultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original treeand all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. Theplant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya,La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. Moreparticularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms at the end ofFebruary or early in March in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement,France. More particularly, it blooms between February 28 and March 20,generally slightly later than ‘Nectalady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,580).

The first fruit of ‘NECTADIVA’ nectarine tree ripens at the end ofAugust or early in September, generally together with ‘Nectalady’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 17,5807). More particularly, it approximately ripensbetween August 25 and September 12. However, it was observed that itsdate of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph, which shows a view of a tree of the newvariety in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph, which shows two whole fruits and leaves ofthe new variety, and a third fruit, cut in half with the stone left inone of the halves for depicting the fruit flesh and the stone of the newvariety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph with reverse and side views of flowers ofthe new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of thenew variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph, which shows different views of the stone.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘NECTADIVA’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared tosemi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shootis present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins atthe end of February or early in March. The type of flower is showy withlarge petal size. Petals are medium pink. Leaf glands are present andreniform. The fruit flesh is yellow to orange with red pigmentationinside and around the stone cavity. The fruit skin is very thick, with aluminous red blush and an orange red background. The stone is mediumsize or large size. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with ahigh level of sugars.

Compared to ‘Nectalady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,580) yellow nectarinetree, ‘NECTADIVA’ variety has approximately the same time of maturitybut the time of blooming is 3 to 5 days later than ‘Nectalady’, as setforth above. ‘NECTADIVA’ variety is less sensitive to rain showers than‘Nectalady’; moreover, ‘NECTADIVA’ fruits show a higher size than‘Nectalady’ fruits and homogenous purple red coloration. ‘NECTADIVA’fruit skin doesn't show lenticels, contrary to ‘Nectalady’ variety. Thelength of maturity of ‘NECTADIVA’ variety is more grouped than‘Nectalady’.

The new variety female parent, which is ‘Redpearl’ (non patented),produces yellow nectarines. ‘Redpearl’ variety ripens approximately atthe same period as the new variety, which ripens at the end of August orearly in September. ‘Redpearl’ and ‘NECTADIVA’ show broadly the sametime of blooming. ‘Redpearl’ was chosen as a genitor because of itsregular and considerable productivity of attractive and homogenousfruits, which are round-shaped, with a balanced taste and a luminousorange red color on 90% of the fruit skin.

The new variety male parent, which is also the ‘Nectalady’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 17,580) yellow nectarine tree has a regular and considerablelevel of productivity. ‘Nectalady’ was chosen as a genitor notablybecause it produces yellow nectarines with very high gustativequalities, semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of yellow nectarine tree, the following was observed ontrees in their third growing season (second year of production) underthe ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near thetown of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observationshave been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘Franc InraMontclar’ (non-patented) trees. All major color code designations are byreference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by TheRoyal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered medium to large. The tree size            the first year was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned            during each following dormant season to a height of            approximately 250 cm. Current season shoots growth could            reach 60 to 80 cm. The tree size from the second year            (second and next years) reached a final height of 310 to 330            cm with current season shoots length comprised. The tree            size is consistently reduces to 250 cm the next years.        -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The            whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,            with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0            meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was            about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by            hectare.        -   Vigor.—Considered vigorous or medium vigorous.        -   Productivity.—Very productive and regular, every year. Fruit            set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit            into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit            set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and            cultural practices employed during the bloom period, and is            therefore not distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered            homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1            year. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3, or 1 fruit out of 2, was            necessary for the tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary            every year during the years of observation.        -   Form.—The ‘NECTADIVA’ variety has a naturally semi-flared to            semi-upright shape.        -   Density.—Considered dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.            Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling            requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours            showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. No damages            were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12            degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very resistant            to frosty springtime weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 11.0 cm and 13.0 cm in            diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 20 cm            above the soil level.        -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present, generally 5            lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from            approximately 4.0 millimeters to 8.0 millimeters in width,            and about 2.0 millimeters in height.        -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver grey            color (RHS Grey 201 C), whereas the inside is considered            brown (RHS Greyed Orange 165 B to C).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a light brown color (RHS Brown            N 200 C) to a silver-grey color (RHS Grey 201 B to C).-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium to large for the variety.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.            The current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 6.0            millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter from 30.0            to 45.0 millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old            has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally between 50 degrees and 70            degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular            characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,            however.        -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture. — Substantially            glabrous.        -   Internode length.—Generally 20.0 millimeters to 30.0            millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to B).        -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips            is considered a light yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A            to B) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper            part is colored brown purple (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to B).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species. The ratio            leaf length/leaf width is 3.84.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 148.0 to 192.0 millimeters with            leaf petiole. The medium length is 178.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 45.0 to 55.0 millimeters. The            medium width is 48.9 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate and small.        -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Dark Green (RHS Green 147            A). Lower surface. — A lighter green (RHS Green 147 B) than            the upper leaf surface color.        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green, almost yellow (RHS Yellow            Green 150 D). The color may change with maturity        -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.        -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or            two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).        -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. — About            11.0 to about 15.0 millimeters. Diameter. — About 1.5            millimeters.        -   Petioles color.—Upper petiole surface. — Light green (RHS            Yellow Green 145 A). Lower surface. — Light green (RHS            Yellow Green 150 C).        -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered medium. Their length is            about 1.5 millimeters. Number. — Generally between 3 to 6            glands per leaf. Type. — Reniform. Color. — On young leaves,            leaf glands color is considered a light green (RHS Yellow            Green 144 A to B). On older leaves, leaf glands color turns            to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to B).        -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.            But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves            uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or            3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of            development, the floral buds are conic in form with a round            tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables            dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are            approximately 10.0 millimeters wide and approximately 20.0            millimeters long. Color. — This characteristic is dependent            upon the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of            development, the bottom of the flowers buds, formed by the            sepals, is of purple brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to            C or Grey Brown Group 199 A); the corolla, formed by the            petals, is generally of pale pink color (RHS Red Purple 69 B            to C). Petals color shows an evolution until the end of            flowering.        -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.            No winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,            with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in            January. The current variety has not been intentionally            subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed            a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42            degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and            30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—Generally early in March. The first bloom was            observed on March 4, 2003.        -   Blooming time.—Considered medium-season in relative            comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in            the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of            full bloom is observed on March, at the middle of the            blooming period. The date of bloom varies slightly with            climatic conditions and cultural practices. Thus the first            full bloom was observed on Mar. 4, 2003. Last observed            blooming times were Mar. 5, 2007 then Feb. 28, 2008, then            Mar. 5, 2009, then Mar. 20, 2010, then Mar. 5, 2011.        -   Duration of bloom.—Between 10 and 12 days. This            characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic            conditions.        -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type            flower.        -   Flower size.—Considered medium to large. Flower diameter at            full bloom is approximately between 33.0 and 37.0            millimeters.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately 45            flowers per meter, with a good distribution.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per            node, occasionally 1.        -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered large for the species.        -   Length.—Generally about 18.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally about 15.0 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.        -   Petal count.—Generally 5.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth, sweet and glabrous.        -   Petal color.—Medium Pink (RHS Red Purple 69 B to C) and            slightly darker at the end of flowering.        -   Fragrance.—Sweet.        -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a            truncated form. Length. — Approximately 1.5 to 1.8            millimeters. Width. — Approximately 1.1 to 1.3 millimeters.            Color. — A darker pink than the petal color.        -   Petal margins.—Generally slightly undulating.        -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally wide            dome-shaped.        -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium to large and            having an average length of approximately 3.0 to 5.0            millimeters. Diameter. — Considered medium, approximately            2.0 millimeters. Color. — A brown to light brown (RHS Grey            Brown N199 B to C).        -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth and glabrous.            Color. — The inner surface of the calyx is matt and            considered golden-orange (RHS Greyed Red 178 C to D). The            outer surface of the calyx is considered of purple brown            (RHS Greyed Purple 183 B to C) color.        -   Sepals.—Surface texture. — The outer surface has a short,            fine pubescent texture. Size. — Medium. Length. —            Approximately 6.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 4.0            millimeters. Form. — Ovate. Color. — Matt Red (RHS Greyed            Purple 183 B to C or RHS Grey Brown 199A).        -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 40            stamens per flower.        -   Anthers.—Generally. — Small in length. Color. — Red to            orange red color (approximately RHS Greyed Red Group 178 A).            The color may evolve with maturity.        -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow            color (RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to C) which may evolve with            maturity. The present variety is considered auto-fertile            (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments.—Size. — Medium length, between 10.0 and 15.0            millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally equal            to the pistil's length, if not slightly longer.        -   Color.—Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple            62 C to D or RHS Red Purple 73 A to B). The color evolves            during the blooming.        -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size.            Length. — Approximately 14.0 to 16.0 millimeters including            the ovary; Generally equal to filaments length, if not            slightly smaller to filaments in length. Color. — Considered            a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green 150 D or RHS Yellow            Green 151 D). The color evolves during the blooming. Surface            texture. — Non pubescent.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm ripe condition (shipping            ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 29, 2003.        -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly            with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NECTADIVA            variety has a grouped maturity. The maturity is grouped            within 8 to 12 days and the harvest is generally performed            in two runs. Last known picking times begin Sep. 12, 2006;            then Aug. 25, 2007; then Sep. 4, 2008; then Sep. 2, 2009;            then Sep. 6, 2010; then Sep. 1, 2011.        -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large and homogeneous in size.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 73.0 to 80.0            millimeters.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 68.0 to 75.0            millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Generally about 230.0 to 280.0 grams. This            characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing            cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly            distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Round to slightly elevated. The            fruit is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from the            suture's plane.        -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending            from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or            stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.        -   Suture.—Color. — The suture has generally a color similar to            the whole fruit color. The suture is completely colored with            a homogenous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to B).        -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.        -   Apex.—Non-prominent, slightly depressed.        -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.        -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 12.0            millimeters. Average width is about 17.0 to 20.0            millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered very thick and strong,            and the adherence of skin to flesh is strong. Texture. —            Glabrous. Taste. — Semi-sweet, aromatic, with a high level            of sugars. Tendency to crack. — None observed.        -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is a luminous red            (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to B). The red blush covers 75% to            90% of the fruit skin surface with a red orange background            (RHS Orange Red N 34 A to B). The percentage of the blush on            the fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally dependant            upon the prevailing conditions under which the fruit was            grown. Ground color. — The ground color covers 10% to 25% of            the fruit skin surface, and is considered red orange (RHS            Orange Red N 34 A to B).        -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 10.0            millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to B).        -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very evenly, homogenously, slowly. Texture.            — Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at harvest            maturity stage. Fibers. — Not fibrous. Aroma. — Pronounced.            Eating quality. — Considered very good, with a high level of            sugars. Flavor. — Considered semi-sweet and very aromatic.            The Brix is generally comprises between 12 and 15 and            acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. Juice. — Very            juicy at complete maturity. Brix. — Generally between 12 and            15 degrees. This characteristic varies slightly with the            number of fruit per tree; prevailing cultural practices; and            the surrounding climatic conditions. Flesh color. — Orange            yellow flesh (RHS Yellow Orange 16 C) usually with red            pigmentation (RHS Red 53 A) in the stone cavity and around            the stone cavity, where the pigmentation is star shaped on            approximately 10.0 millimeters .-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the variety. The stone            size varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor,            crop load and prevailing growing conditions.        -   Length.—Approximately 32.0 to 36.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 22.0 to 26.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 17.0 to 20.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Elliptic.        -   Base.—Straight.        -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is pointed, with a small            prominent tip.        -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium size, ovate-shaped and            dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.        -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely            furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced            toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief            is prominent generally and present basally. Ridges. — The            surface texture is generally characterized by more prominent            ridges along the ventral edges and is more prominent at the            apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Considered small to medium, and            having a dimension of approximately 2.0 millimeters at            mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally            considered purple brown (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to B or RHS            Greyed Red 174 A to B).        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent or very low,            depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and            stone hardening.        -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel size is considered medium.            Length. — Approximately 18.0 millimeters. Width. —            Approximately 12.0 millimeters. Thickness. — Approximately            4.0 millimeters. Form. — Considered oblate and elliptic.            Pellicle. — Pubescent. Color. — The kernel skin is an orange            brown (RHS Greyed Orange 165 A to B). The almond, which is            the seed of the kernel, is cream-white (RHS Orange White 158            B). The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of            fruit maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘NECTADIVA is considered to be a            nectarine tree with a late-season maturity, and which            produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively and            homogeneously colored and very luminous. Fruits have a            semi-sweet taste and are excellent for uncooked consumption,            crunchy or melting and juicy when at full maturity. Fruits            have excellent gustative qualities. Due to their flesh            quality, firmness and density, they can also be            commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or            fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for            both local and very long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruits have a slow maturation            and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth            completion and after harvesting without alteration. After            harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 4 weeks at 2.0            degree Celsius.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            yellow nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the            flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal            harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to            handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life            without alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks to 4            weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very            sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and            decay due to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree as illustratedand described, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life withoutalteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet orangeyellow flesh of high eating quality, with red pigmentation in the stonecavity and around the stone cavity, and an attractive skin homogeneouslycolored with a high percentage of luminous red blush.